Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42326927›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2026

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and contributing factors among social security workers in Dar es Salaam: a cross-sectional study.

Simon Lwaho, Edson Protas, Evaline D Asenga, Suleiman Chombo, Peter M Chilipweli, Luco Mwelange, Israel Nyarubeli

Abstract read
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Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Simon LwahoDirectorate of Training, Research, Statistics and Promotion, Occupational Safety and Health Authority, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Edson ProtasDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Evaline D AsengaDepartment of Occupational Health (Port Health), Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Suleiman ChomboDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Peter M ChilipweliDepartment of Community Medicine and Environmental Occupational Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Luco MwelangeDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Israel NyarubeliDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant public health problem for individuals engaged in tasks involving repetitive upper limb movements and extended computer use, including those working in the social security sector. The International Labor Organization (ILO) has listed musculoskeletal disorders as an occupational disease that requires preventive measures in workplaces. However, there is limited information in the context of Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed to address this knowledge gap, focusing on the magnitude and risk factors of MSDs among social security workers in Dar es Salaam. Objective: This study aimed to assess the work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the contributing risk factors among social security workers in Dar es Salaam. Materials and methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and included a sample of 300 employed social security workers working at NSSF offices in the Dar es Salaam region. The study included all NSSF workplaces in Dar es Salaam, and eligible participants were selected using probability proportional to size. Data were collected using a structured Nordic questionnaire to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to MSDs. In contrast, a checklist was used to identify preventive measures and factors contributing to MSDs. A modified Poisson model of analysis was used to analyse the factors contributing to MSDs. Results: The overall prevalence of MSDs reported by participants in the previous 12 months was 77.7%. The significant risk factors for MSDs included lower education levels (aRR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.140-2.564, Conclusion and recommendations: The results of this study reveal a high prevalence of MSDs among social security workers in Dar es Salaam. These findings serve as a crucial alert for employers and employees to develop and review existing ergonomic interventions. It is also recommended that the government strengthen and regularly conduct ergonomic training, inspections, and enforcement in all workplaces.

Indexed as

Musculoskeletal DiseasesOccupational DiseasesSocial SecurityAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesTanzaniaWorking ConditionsDar es Salaamergonomicsoffice worksocial security workerswork related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Identifiers

PMID42326927
PMCPMC13279541

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.